A typical 6th grade language arts class focuses on reading, writing, speaking, and language skills aligned to the Common Core standards. Students spend 55 minutes each day engaged in independent reading, working in small groups, learning essential questions through mini lessons, analyzing texts, and completing quick formative assessments. It is important that 6th graders come to class prepared with their reading materials, keep an organized binder of class notes and materials, and use online resources to find books. Grades are determined by performance on major assessments, minor assignments and projects, writing assessments, and language exams. The class also encourages students to read 40 books over the year through a reading challenge program.

1. Language Arts and
the Common Core
Sixth Grade

2. Language Arts
Common Core Strands
• Informational Text
• Literary Text
• Writing
• Language
• Speaking and Listening Skills
• Technology integration
• More information at www.corestandards.org

3. Typical Day in Language Arts
(55 min class period)
• Begin each day with independent reading
(write reading responses during this time)
• Work with small groups
• Essential Question/Mini lesson
• Text analysis, written responses, group work,
or application of objectives
• Wrap up and answer questions
• Quick formative assessment(non graded)

4. Important Habits for 6th Graders
• Remember their book for class;
– Look out for: reading a different book every night
• Keep Reader’s Notebook in the classroom
(take home as needed)
• Keep binder organized-
– Table of Contents and notes
– Check Blackboard (BB) for notes
• Use the Destiny search webpage to find books

5. Grading Policy
• 40%-Major Assessments –(test corrections
and remediation is available if the score is
lower than 85%)
• 25% -Minor Assessments (projects and graded
assignments)
• 25% -Writing Assessments
• 10% -Language (Grammar) Assessments

6. 40 Book Challenge
• Encourage students to read EVERY night—
Across the Genres
• Student centered goals
• Books over 300 pages count as 2 books
• Quarterly celebrations
• Monthly reader’s response strategies (on BB)
– writing about your reading significantly increases
your understanding!

7. GATOR Information
• Use Blackboard to ignite conversations with your
students about school
• Trust what your child has said, but VERIFY it
• Lockers will be emptied at the end of every Track
out-missing locks cost $5.50
• Report any concerns to us immediately!
• Volunteers Needed! Stop by the Media Center
– Therapy Doll Service Learning project – 2nd-3rd Quarters
– Greek Day -2nd Quarter
– Field Trip -3rd Quarter

8. Questions?